tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27779515679043715292017-02-01T21:41:38.489-08:00Northwest PastorA Pastor Trying to get Back to the Bible's Way of Being the ChurchJason Rigbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221175091784934930noreply@blogger.comBlogger161125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2777951567904371529.post-12839644755248338362010-04-12T22:19:00.000-07:002010-04-12T22:19:49.844-07:00Loving My Wife and Children More Than Ministry<a href="http://www.acts29network.org/acts-29-blog/loving-my-wife-and-children-more-than-ministry/">Loving My Wife and Children More Than Ministry</a>: "<p><img title="Loving" alt="Loving" height="275" width="500" src="http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/26/loving.jpg" /></p><br /><p>By <a href="http://www.clearcreek.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=43779">Bruce Wesley</a></p><br /><p>Angry All the Time</p><br /><p>Church planting exposed my emotional brokenness on two fronts. First, I was angry most of the time. My anger fueled my workaholism. Church planting required undivided attention and a willingness to correct matters quickly. Since anger actualizes a person, it became my partner. I lived just below the boiling point. Most people were unaware of my tendency to boil over; they simply felt that I was driven to make things happen. But my children walked on eggshells at home.</p><br /><p>Emotional Detachment from Family</p><br /><p>Secondly, two years after we planted Clear Creek Community Church, I recognized a feeling of emotional detachment from my wife and kids. I don’t remember where the question came from, but I asked myself, “What if my wife and children never feel loved by me?” I thought about how much of a failure I would be if I planted a church successfully, but I did not know how to love my wife and kids in a way that they felt cherished, protected and connected to me. What if I reached the end of my one and only life and thousands of people became Christians, but my children wanted nothing to do with me. That would be such a farce. So I called a friend who could help me work through my junk.</p><br /><p>Anger is Omnidirectional </p><br /><p>I hated the process of talking about what makes me tick. It actually hurt. But I learned so much about anger. Anger is omni-directional. It splashes on the people it was never intended to reach. Of the four basic emotions: mad sad, glad and scared, anger is the second emotion. We always feel one of the other emotions first, but we jump to anger because it’s the empowering emotion. That made sense to me since I stayed angry in order to stay engaged and solve problems. With anger, it was as if the house was always on fire.</p><br /><p>Performance-Driven or Gospel-Driven?</p><br /><p>My friend helped me see that my driven life and associated anger stemmed from my performance orientation. I was driven to perform and succeed because I believed successful people are loved. So anyone who stood in my way of success was cutting off my air and, thus, they were met with my wrath in response. I could morph from nice guy to killer in a nanosecond.</p><br /><p>It was the gospel that changed me. One day my friend said to me, “There is nothing you can do that will make God love you more and nothing you can do that will make God love you less.” I had said the same thing many times. But when I heard the statement, God’s Spirit opened my heart to grace. I realized that I was trying to earn God’s love through hard work and success. That’s why I was angry and the people I loved were being pushed away. It’s when I learned to preach the gospel to myself that my emotional world changed. Under grace, in light of the gospel, I became self-controlled.</p><br /><p>In retrospect, we were exposing the idols in my life. And the gospel continues to set me free more than a decade later. I’m grateful. So are my wife and kids.</p><br /><p> </p>"Jason Rigbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221175091784934930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2777951567904371529.post-15597297421212835582010-03-01T18:52:00.000-08:002010-03-01T18:52:49.660-08:00Training on Gospel Fluency<a href="http://soma-missionalmusings.blogspot.com/2010/03/training-on-gospel-fluency.html">Training on Gospel Fluency</a>: "This is the recording of the training I recently did for our Missional Community leaders on developing a culture of where people are becoming Gospel FluentThe notes for the training are:Gospel FluencyBy Jeff VandersteltGospel GrowthSpeaking the TRUTH in Love IN MinistryIn Ephesians 4:11-16, we are instructed about the means by which the Church grows up into maturity. God gives certain people to"Jason Rigbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221175091784934930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2777951567904371529.post-76287974723661016422010-02-14T17:27:00.000-08:002010-02-14T17:27:14.141-08:00Husband and wife<a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2010/02/13/husband-and-wife/">Husband and wife</a>: "<p><img title="adam_and_eve_driven_out_of_the_garden_by_dore" src="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/files/2010/02/adam_and_eve_driven_out_of_the_garden_by_dore.jpg" alt="adam_and_eve_driven_out_of_the_garden_by_dore" width="530" height="657" /></p><br /><p>“Let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” Ephesians 5:33</p><br /><p>God made Adam first and put him in the Garden with a job to do, a mission to fulfill. In the heart of every fallen man is the self-doubt that wonders, “Am I man enough to climb this mountain God has called me to? Can I fulfill my destiny?” A wise wife will understand that question at the center of her husband’s heart. And she will spend her life answering it, communicating to him in various ways, “Honey, I believe in your call. I know you can do this, by God’s power. Go for it.” In this way, she will breathe life into her man.</p><br /><p>God made Eve from Adam, for Adam, to help him follow the call. In the heart of every fallen woman is the self-doubt that wonders, “Do I please you? Am I what you wanted?” A wise husband will understand that question at the center of his wife’s heart. And he will spend his life answering it, communicating to her in various ways, “Darling, you are the one I need. I cherish you. Let me hold you close.” In this way, he will breathe life into his wife.</p><br /><p><a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2010/02/13/husband-and-wife/">Husband and wife</a> is a post from: <a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund">Ray Ortlund</a></p>"Jason Rigbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221175091784934930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2777951567904371529.post-75925565724186408952010-01-22T12:02:00.000-08:002010-01-22T12:02:56.502-08:00Forgiveness must go before sanctification<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/OfFirstImportance/~3/UnjHhpuNHIU/">Forgiveness must go before sanctification</a>: "<div><br /><p>“A sense of having our sins forgiven is the mainspring and life-blood of love to Christ. The only way to make men holy is to teach and preach free and full forgiveness through Jesus Christ. The secret of being holy ourselves is to know and feel that Christ has pardoned our sins. Peace with God is the only root that will bear the fruit of holiness. Forgiveness must go before sanctification.”</p><br /><p>—J. C. Ryle, <a href="http://www.wtsbooks.com/product-exec/product_id/866/nm/Expository+Thoughts+on+Luke%2C+v.+1?utm_source=byl&amp;utm_medium=byl"><em>Expository Thoughts on the Gospels</em></a>, on <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/esv/Luke%207.36-50">Luke 7:36-50</a>.</p><br /><p>(HT: <a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2010/01/15/forgiveness-must-go-before-sanctification/">Ray Ortlund</a>)</p><br /> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2333/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2333/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/godelicious/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2333/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/delicious/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2333/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gostumble/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2333/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/stumble/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2333/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/godigg/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2333/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/digg/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2333/" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/goreddit/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2333/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/reddit/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2333/" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=firstimportance.org&amp;blog=1216143&amp;post=2333&amp;subd=firstimportance&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" /></div><div><br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/OfFirstImportance?a=UnjHhpuNHIU:upHVD4pl2kA:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/OfFirstImportance?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0" /></a><br /></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OfFirstImportance/~4/UnjHhpuNHIU" height="1" width="1" />"Jason Rigbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221175091784934930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2777951567904371529.post-30129152193060628922010-01-21T13:22:00.000-08:002010-01-21T13:22:01.178-08:00This Week with Henri Nouwen – Be Yourself<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/%7Er/DreamAwakener/%7E3/-jZvM9YwU-4/">This Week with Henri Nouwen – Be Yourself</a>: "<p><a href="http://jrwoodward.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/nouwen-home.jpg"><img title="Van Gogh" src="http://jrwoodward.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/nouwen-home-300x96.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="96" /></a>“Often we want to be somewhere other than where we are, or even to be someone other than who we are. We tend to compare ourselves constantly with others and wonder why we are not as rich, as intelligent, as simple, as generous, or as saintly as they are. Such comparisons make us feel guilty, ashamed, or jealous. It is very important to realize that our vocation is hidden in where we are and who we are. We are unique human beings, each with a call to realize in life what nobody else can, and to realize it in the concrete context of the here and now.</p><br /><p>We will never find our vocations by trying to figure out whether we are better or worse than others. We are good enough to do what we are called to do. Be yourself!” <strong>- Henri Nouwen</strong></p><br /><div><br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Eff/DreamAwakener?a=-jZvM9YwU-4:UJRN7eMolp8:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Eff/DreamAwakener?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Eff/DreamAwakener?a=-jZvM9YwU-4:UJRN7eMolp8:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Eff/DreamAwakener?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Eff/DreamAwakener?a=-jZvM9YwU-4:UJRN7eMolp8:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Eff/DreamAwakener?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Eff/DreamAwakener?a=-jZvM9YwU-4:UJRN7eMolp8:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Eff/DreamAwakener?i=-jZvM9YwU-4:UJRN7eMolp8:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Eff/DreamAwakener?a=-jZvM9YwU-4:UJRN7eMolp8:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Eff/DreamAwakener?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Eff/DreamAwakener?a=-jZvM9YwU-4:UJRN7eMolp8:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Eff/DreamAwakener?i=-jZvM9YwU-4:UJRN7eMolp8:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0" /></a><br /></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Er/DreamAwakener/%7E4/-jZvM9YwU-4" width="1" height="1" />"Jason Rigbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221175091784934930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2777951567904371529.post-66446864899578088482010-01-14T22:04:00.000-08:002010-01-14T22:04:51.781-08:00Stop Going to Church<a href="http://theresurgence.com/stop_going_to_church">Stop Going to Church</a>: "<p><img src="http://theresurgence.com/files/stop_going_to_church.jpg" /></p><br /><p>What is the difference between <i>going</i> to church and <i>being</i> the church? In a recent blog post for <a href="http://www.boundless.org/">Boundless Webzine</a> called <b><a href="http://www.boundless.org/2005/articles/a0002157.cfm">Stop Going to Church</a></b>, Jonathan Dodson talks about how his life was radically changed when he stopped simply <i>going</i> to church. Comparing some of today’s churches to fortresses, shopping malls, and cemeteries, Dodson calls us to remember that the church is intended to be a family.</p><br /><p>More on Jonathan Dodson and his ministry can be found at his blog, <a href="http://creationproject.wordpress.com/">Creation Project</a>. </p><br /><div style="border-top: 1px dotted rgb(153, 153, 153); margin-top: 10px; height: 120px; padding-top: 5px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande',Verdana,Arial,Sans-Serif; font-size: 12px;"><br /><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 115px;"><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/theresurgence" title="The Resurgence - Facebook"><img src="http://theresurgence.com/files/resurgence_facebook.jpg" alt="The Resurgence - Facebook" border="0" height="111" width="198" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="padding: 8px 14px; float: left; width: 235px;"><br /><h3 style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/theresurgence" title="The Resurgence - Facebook" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(198, 0, 0); font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Resurgence On Facebook</a></h3><br /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px 0px 0px; font-size: 10px; color: rgb(34, 34, 26); line-height: 16px;">Become a fan of the Resurgence on Facebook, get connected with other fans, and stay current on all the latest updates. <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Resurgence/24873958659" title="Resurgence Facebook" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(153, 153, 153); color: rgb(34, 34, 26); text-decoration: none;">Find out more</a>.<br /></p><br /></div><br /></div><br /><p>&lt;!--break--&gt;</p>"Jason Rigbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221175091784934930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2777951567904371529.post-87994445215788293322010-01-11T23:46:00.000-08:002010-01-11T23:46:52.475-08:00No such thing as performance-based Christianity<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/%7Er/OfFirstImportance/%7E3/ZiqNtoyCvB4/">No such thing as performance-based Christianity</a>: "<div><br /><p>“From start to finish, the whole Christian life is by grace through faith. A new life in Christ commences with faith, continues by faith, and will be completed through faith. To put this another way, the Gospel is for Christians just as much as it is for non-Christians.</p><br /><p>We never advance beyond the good news of the cross and the empty tomb… Therefore, the Christian always looks back to the Gospel and never to the law as the basis for his righteousness before God… There is no such thing as performance-based Christianity… Justification is a doctrine for the whole Christian life from start to finish. It is not simply a doctrine for coming to Christ in the first place… Justification is a doctrine to live by each and every moment.”</p><br /><p>- Philip Ryken, <em>Commentary on Galatians, p90-92</em></p><br /><p>(HT: <a href="http://www.paramountchurch.net/paramount-blog/">John Fonville</a>)</p><br /> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2282/"><img alt="" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2282/" border="0" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/godelicious/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2282/"><img alt="" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/delicious/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2282/" border="0" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gostumble/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2282/"><img alt="" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/stumble/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2282/" border="0" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/godigg/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2282/"><img alt="" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/digg/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2282/" border="0" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/goreddit/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2282/"><img alt="" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/reddit/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2282/" border="0" /></a> <img alt="" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=firstimportance.org&amp;blog=1216143&amp;post=2282&amp;subd=firstimportance&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" border="0" /></div><div><br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Eff/OfFirstImportance?a=ZiqNtoyCvB4:hIBuoy5FS7o:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Eff/OfFirstImportance?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0" /></a><br /></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Er/OfFirstImportance/%7E4/ZiqNtoyCvB4" width="1" height="1" />"Jason Rigbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221175091784934930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2777951567904371529.post-8172394483364754062010-01-09T22:42:00.000-08:002010-01-09T22:42:52.488-08:00Tim Chester on Community Decision Making<a href="http://legerity.wordpress.com/2010/01/09/tim-chester-on-community-decision-making/">Tim Chester on Community Decision Making</a>: "“In our culture we expect to make our own decisions. But decision-making must have a communal dimension<br />First, we need the community to make good decisions. We need one another to help us see when our reasoning is corrupted by our sinful hearts.<br />Second, we should involve the Christian community in decision-making to the extent that our [...]<img alt="" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=legerity.wordpress.com&amp;blog=3526230&amp;post=4131&amp;subd=legerity&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" border="0" />"Jason Rigbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221175091784934930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2777951567904371529.post-19893737015309641592010-01-05T11:22:00.000-08:002010-01-05T11:22:09.033-08:00How to Know You Won't Lay Down Your Life<a href="http://gospeldrivenchurch.blogspot.com/2010/01/how-to-know-you-wont-lay-down-your-life.html">How to Know You Won't Lay Down Your Life</a>: "Steve Timmis, co-author of <span style="font-style: italic;">Total Church</span> (a book you should read), followed a rather convicting train of thought on Twitter this morning. Here is his succession of tweets:<br /><blockquote>* “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Jesus Christ<br /><br />* If I’m not prepared to jeopardise a friendship so that I can tell others about Christ, I can be fairly certain I won’t give up my life.<br /><br />* If I’m not prepared to miss out on promotion so I can stay &amp; help plant churches, I can be fairly certain I won’t give up my life…<br /><br />* If I’m not willing to pursue people who are different from me in order to bless them, I can be fairly certain I won’t give up my life…<br /><br />* If I refuse to give up a holiday abroad so I can support someone in gospel ministry. I can be fairly confident I won’t give up my life…<br /><br />* If I’m not prepared to give up my bed to go and serve someone, I can be fairly confident I won’t give up my life…<br /><br />* Can’t ultimately be sure until I’m called on to do so. But there are indicators in what I am reluctant to give up…<br /><br />* How can I be sure I would lay down my life for sake of Jesus &amp; the gospel? Perhaps I’ll be like Peter in his bravado and subsequent denial?</blockquote><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/538825134834187144-8232042208312656937?l=gospeldrivenchurch.blogspot.com" alt="" height="1" width="1" /></div>"Jason Rigbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221175091784934930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2777951567904371529.post-14448362131323024112010-01-05T11:21:00.000-08:002010-01-05T11:21:10.387-08:00When You’re Least Aware (Again!)<a href="http://lifestream.org/blog/2010/01/04/when-youre-least-aware-again/">When You’re Least Aware (Again!)</a>: "<p>Someone sent me this quote from a book they’ve been reading that seemed to go along with my earlier posting about <a href="http://lifestream.org/blog/2009/12/28/when-youre-least-aware/">washing someone’s shoes</a> and how it touched their life. I haven’t read the book and don’t know anything about the author, but I sure like this quote:</p><br /><blockquote><p>The moment you are aware of your holiness it goes sour and becomes self-righteousness. A good deed is never so good as when you have no consciousness that it is good—you are so much in love with the action that you are quite unself-conscious about your goodness and virtue. Your left hand has no idea that your right hand is doing something good or meritorious. You simply do it because it seems the natural, spontaneous thing to do. Spend some time in becoming aware of the fact that all the virtue that you can see in yourself is no virtue at all but something that you have cunningly cultivated and produced and forced on yourself. If it were real virtue you would have enjoyed it thoroughly and would feel so natural that it wouldn’t occur to you to think of it as a virtue. So the first quality of holiness is its unself-consciousness.</p><br /><p>The second quality is its effortlessness. Effort can change a behavior, it cannot change you. Think of this: Effort can put food into your mouth, it cannot produce an appetite; it can keep you in bed, it cannot produce sleep; it can make you reveal a secret to another but it cannot produce trust; it can force you to pay a compliment, it cannot produce genuine admiration; effort can PERFORM acts of service, it is powerless to produce love or holiness. All you can achieve by your effort is REPRESSION, not genuine change and growth. </p><br /><p><em>The Way to Love</em><br /><br />~ Anthony De Mello </p></blockquote>"Jason Rigbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221175091784934930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2777951567904371529.post-1850804682740870712010-01-03T22:29:00.000-08:002010-01-03T22:29:54.097-08:00Christ is Everything<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/%7Er/OfFirstImportance/%7E3/qrQui98xmXo/">Christ is Everything</a>: "<div><br /><p>“When you put your trust in Christ, the overpowering attraction of the world is broken. You are a corpse to the world, and the world is a corpse to you. Or to put it positively, you are a ‘new creation’ (Galatians 6:15). The old you is dead. A new you is alive — the you of faith in Christ. And what marks this faith is that it treasures Christ above everything in the world. The power of the world to woo your love away is dead.</p><br /><p>Being dead to the world means that every legitimate pleasure in the world becomes a blood-bought evidence of Christ’s love and an occasion of boasting in the cross. When our hearts run back along the beam of blessing to the source in the cross, then the worldliness of the blessing is dead, and Christ crucified is everything.”</p><br /><p>- John Piper, <em><a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/media/pdf/books_pojc/bpojc_all.pdf">The Passion of Jesus Christ</a></em> (Wheaton, Ill.; Crossway Books, 2004), 85.</p><br /> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2297/"><img alt="" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2297/" border="0" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/godelicious/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2297/"><img alt="" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/delicious/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2297/" border="0" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gostumble/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2297/"><img alt="" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/stumble/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2297/" border="0" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/godigg/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2297/"><img alt="" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/digg/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2297/" border="0" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/goreddit/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2297/"><img alt="" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/reddit/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2297/" border="0" /></a> <img alt="" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=firstimportance.org&amp;blog=1216143&amp;post=2297&amp;subd=firstimportance&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" border="0" /></div><div><br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Eff/OfFirstImportance?a=qrQui98xmXo:VVQPSHgHlbc:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Eff/OfFirstImportance?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0" /></a><br /></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Er/OfFirstImportance/%7E4/qrQui98xmXo" width="1" height="1" />"Jason Rigbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221175091784934930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2777951567904371529.post-86761830189921940052010-01-02T22:09:00.001-08:002010-01-02T22:09:44.001-08:00LEGALISM<blockquote>"Legalistic remorse says, 'I broke God's rules,' while real repentance says, 'I broke God's heart.' Legalistic repentance takes sin to Mt. Sinai, gospel repentance to Mt. Calvary. Legalistic repentance is convicted by punishment, gospel repentance becomes convicted by mercy."</blockquote>- Timothy KellerJason Rigbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221175091784934930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2777951567904371529.post-33943559959360948802010-01-02T21:43:00.000-08:002010-01-02T21:43:53.464-08:00Resolved<a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2010/01/01/resolved/">Resolved</a>: "<p>From Jonathan Edwards’s “<a href="http://edwards.yale.edu/archive?path=aHR0cDovL2Vkd2FyZHMueWFsZS5lZHUvY2dpLWJpbi9uZXdwaGlsby9nZXRvYmplY3QucGw/Yy4xNTo3NDoxLndqZW8=">Resolutions</a>“:</p><br /><blockquote><p>Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ’s sake.</p><br /><p>Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.</p><br /><p>1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty, and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.</p></blockquote><br /><p>To read Edwards’s other 69 resolutions, go <a href="http://edwards.yale.edu/archive?path=aHR0cDovL2Vkd2FyZHMueWFsZS5lZHUvY2dpLWJpbi9uZXdwaGlsby9nZXRvYmplY3QucGw/Yy4xNTo3NDoxLndqZW8=">here</a>.</p><br /><p>Happy New Year!</p><br /><p><a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2010/01/01/resolved/"></a></p>"Jason Rigbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221175091784934930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2777951567904371529.post-45266685077799063502009-12-23T16:02:00.000-08:002009-12-23T16:02:01.338-08:00The Simple Life<a href="http://fotosbymeg.blogspot.com/2009/12/simple-life.html">The Simple Life</a>: "<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xqDjl6ONE6Y/SzJ6Zqtbc9I/AAAAAAAAF9Q/dlyzuivGV7k/s1600-h/ornament.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xqDjl6ONE6Y/SzJ6Zqtbc9I/AAAAAAAAF9Q/dlyzuivGV7k/s400/ornament.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As we are anticipating our first Christmas with no gifts (from parents.....kids are still giving to each other) we (ok, I) am dealing with a bit of guilt for not buying presents for our children. While it is fairly easy during the year to resist the temptation of spending on useless crap....it's much harder during the holidays. Especially when said useless crap gets beautifully wrapped up and set under the Christmas tree....I kind of miss it. But on the other hand, I have never been more relaxed about the celebration of Jesus' birth. I've never been more focused on what the day means and what it definitely <i>doesn't</i> mean. This could become a habit....finally.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Recently we were introduced to yet another reason for choosing our sustainable lifestyle. As I was perusing the sidebar of one of my<i> new</i> favorite blogs, <a href="http://consciouslyfrugal.blogspot.com/">Consciously Frugal</a>, I found a wonderful site with a decidedly Christian bent. <a href="http://www.simpleliving.org/">Alternatives for Simple Living</a> mission statement reads (in part) ....<b><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">Alternatives</span></b><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"> is a non-profit organization that equips people of faith to challenge consumerism, live justly and create meaningful celebrations<span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.....Sounds good to me</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is one of the Posts I found most meaningful.......</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Simple Living is living in a way that is outwardly simple and inwardly rich. This way of life embraces frugality of consumption, a strong sense of environmental urgency, and a desire to return to living and working environments which are of a more human scale.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The practice of voluntary simplicity is advocated in the teachings of Jesus, the early Christian Church, St. Paul, St. Francis, and many others. It also has it roots in the teachings of other world religions, the teachings of Gandhi, and the writings of Thoreau. The American Friends Service Committee (The Quakers) define simple living as a “non-consumerist lifestyle based on being and becoming, not having.'</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:large;">Seven Reasons for Choosing a Simpler Lifestyle</span><span style="font-size:large;">:</span></div><div><br /></div><div>1. As an act of intentional living performed for the sake of personal integrity and as an expression of a commitment to a more equitable distribution of the world’s resources.</div><div><br /></div><div>2. As an act of creation care for ourselves and especially for our children and grandchildren against the earth destroying results of over-consumption such as pollution, climate change, and resource wars.</div><div><br /></div><div>3. As an act of solidarity with the majority of humankind, which has little choice about material affluence.</div><div><br /></div><div>4. As an act of celebration of the riches found in God’s creation, and the riches of community with others, rather than in the “poverty” of mindless materialism.</div><div><br /></div><div>5. As an act of spiritual discipline ordering our lives to reflect the values of simplicity and just living taught by Jesus and teachers in other world religions.</div><div><br /></div><div>6. As an act of advocacy for changes in present patterns of production and consumption.</div><div><br /></div><div>7. As an act of provocation (ostentatious under consumption) to arouse curiosity leading to dialog with others about affluence, and sustainable “green” living to redirect the production of consumer goods away from the satisfaction of artificially created wants toward the supplying of goods and services that meet genuine social needs.</div><div><br /></div></div></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1371536968007790098-6065054839373462594?l=fotosbymeg.blogspot.com" alt="" height="1" width="1" /></div>"Jason Rigbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221175091784934930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2777951567904371529.post-19280652721877118792009-12-20T22:17:00.000-08:002009-12-20T22:17:39.648-08:00The Gospel Story: the Story of Community<a href="http://timchester.wordpress.com/2009/12/20/the-gospel-story-the-story-of-community/">The Gospel Story: the Story of Community</a>: "<div><br /><p>There is a summary of the gospel message which runs like this: ‘God made you to know him, but your sin cuts you off from God. God sent his Son to die in your place and reconcile you to God. Now you can know God and look forward to being with him after death.’ It is the story of an individual out of relationship with God brought back into relationship with God. This version of the story is true. But it is not the whole truth. At the heart of the Bible story is the story of a community. The foundation of missional church is an understanding of the Bible story. The Bible is the story of God saving not individuals, but a people, a community, a new humanity. The Christian community is not an add-on. It is integral to the gospel.</p><br /><p><strong>Creation</strong> We are made in the image of the communal God as relational beings to live in community. (Genesis 1:26-27)</p><br /><p><strong>Fall</strong> Our rebellion creates conflict both between us and God and between one another.</p><br /><p><strong>Abraham</strong> The promise to Abraham is ‘the gospel announced in advance’ (Galatians 3:8), setting the agenda for the while Bible story and at its heart is God’s promise of a people (Genesis 12:1-3).</p><br /><p><strong>Exodus</strong> Because of his promise to Abraham, God sets his people free to know him. Through Moses he says: ‘I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God’ (Exodus 6:7). God lives among his people (the pillars of cloud and fire and the tabernacle), but the people keep their distance and offers sacrifices because of their sin and God’s holiness.</p><br /><p><strong>Israel</strong> ‘The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore; they ate, they drank and they were happy’ (1 Kings 4:20; see Genesis 22:17; 32:12). But the people turn from God and the nation divides.</p><br /><p><strong>Prophecy</strong> God promises a new people: ‘I will be their God, and they will be my people’ (Jeremiah 31:31). He promises a faithful remnant (Zechariah 13:7-9).</p><br /><p><strong>Jesus</strong> Jesus is God with us (Matthew 1:23; John 1:18; Colossians 2:9-10). But he is also the faithful people of God, the true vine who bears fruit for God (Isaiah 5:1-7; John 15:1).</p><br /><p><strong>The church</strong> In Christ we are God’s faithful people and the true children of Abraham (Galatians 3:7, 27). The cross reconciles us to God (Mark 15:38) and to one another (Ephesians 2:11-3:13). Christ did not die for ad hoc individuals, but for his people, his bride (Ephesians 5:25-27).</p><br /><p><strong>New creation </strong> ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God …’ (Revelation 21:1-4)</p><br /><p>The individualistic version of the gospel makes the church a useful help to individual Christians, but not an identity. But community is central to the Bible story. People are invited to not simply to an individual relationship with God (though that is one implication), but to become part of the new people of God, the bride of Christ. You become a Christian when by faith you become part of the people for whom Christ died.</p><br /> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/timchester.wordpress.com/1475/"><img alt="" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/timchester.wordpress.com/1475/" border="0" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/godelicious/timchester.wordpress.com/1475/"><img alt="" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/delicious/timchester.wordpress.com/1475/" border="0" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gostumble/timchester.wordpress.com/1475/"><img alt="" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/stumble/timchester.wordpress.com/1475/" border="0" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/godigg/timchester.wordpress.com/1475/"><img alt="" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/digg/timchester.wordpress.com/1475/" border="0" /></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/goreddit/timchester.wordpress.com/1475/"><img alt="" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/reddit/timchester.wordpress.com/1475/" border="0" /></a> <img alt="" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=timchester.wordpress.com&amp;blog=480241&amp;post=1475&amp;subd=timchester&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" border="0" /></div>"Jason Rigbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221175091784934930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2777951567904371529.post-35307152753476610042009-12-11T12:49:00.000-08:002009-12-11T12:49:47.276-08:00Jonathan Edwards: Scripture Points to the Glory of God in Jesus Christ<a href="http://theresurgence.com/what-is-scripture-edwards">Jonathan Edwards: Scripture Points to the Glory of God in Jesus Christ</a>: "<p><i>What Is Scripture series:</i> <a href="http://theresurgence.com/series/what-is-scripture">Click | View Series</a></p><br /><p><img src="http://theresurgence.com/files/what-is-scripture-edwards.jpg" /></p><br /><p><i>“It seems to me that God would have our whole dependence be upon the Scriptures, because the greater our dependence is on the Word of God, the more direct and immediate is our dependence on God himself. The more absolute and entire our dependence on the Word of God is, the greater respect shall we have to that Word, the more shall we esteem and honor and prize it; and this respect to the Word of God will lead us to have the greater respect to God himself.”</i> (Jonathan Edwards, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Miscellanies-501-832-Works-Jonathan-Edwards/dp/0300083300/?tag=theresurgence-20">The Miscellanies</a>)</p><br /><p>Although many scholars consider Jonathan Edwards the finest philosophical mind that America has ever produced, Edwards’ primary allegiance was to the God revealed through the Bible, and not philosophy. When one examines the writings of Edwards, every page reflects a mind that was saturated in Scripture. In particular, Edwards viewed of Scripture as accomplishing four tasks: </p><br /><h2>1. To Correct Errors</h2><br /><p>First, Scripture is given to correct errors. This correction is especially evident in the ministry of preaching: “One great use of the word of God is correction of errors, with regard to which use ministers are commanded to study it” (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sermons-Discourses-1743-1758-Jonathan-Edwards/dp/0300115393/?tag=theresurgence-20">Sermons and Discourses</a>).</p><br /><h2>2. To Interpret Experience and Emotions</h2><br /><p>However, the Scripture does not simply correct error, but secondly, it teaches how to interpret our experience and even our emotions: “All that can be argued from the purity and perfection of the Word of God, with respect to experiences, is this, that those experiences which are agreeable to the Word of God, are right, and can't be otherwise; and not that those affections must be right, which arise on occasion of the Word of God, coming to the mind” (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Religious-Affections-Jonathan-Edwards/dp/192677700X/?tag=theresurgence-20">Religious Affections</a>).</p><br /><h2>3. To Redeem Us</h2><br /><p>Third, the scriptures are God’s tool for redemption: “The written word of God is this main instrument Christ has made use of to carry on his Work of Redemption in all ages since it was given” (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/History-Work-Redemption-Jonathan-Edwards/dp/0851518443/?tag=theresurgence-20">A History of the Work of Redemption</a>).</p><br /><p><img src="http://theresurgence.com/files/Holcomb---6---What-Is-Scripture---Jonathan-Edwards-Quote6.png" /></p><br /><h2>4. To Testify of God’s Glory</h2><br /><p>Fourth, above all else, Edwards saw the Bible as a testimony to the glory of God in Jesus Christ. “Truly to see the truth of the Word of God, is to see the truth of the gospel; which is the glorious doctrine the Word of God contains, concerning God, and Jesus Christ, and the way of salvation by him, and the world of glory that he is entered into, and purchased for all them who believe; and not a revelation that such and such particular persons are true Christians, and shall go to heaven. Therefore those affections which arise from no other persuasion of the truth of the Word of God than this, arise from delusion, and not true conviction; and consequently are themselves delusive and vain” (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Religious-Affections-Jonathan-Edwards/dp/192677700X/?tag=theresurgence-20">Religious Affections</a>). </p><br /><h2>God’s Glory in Jesus Christ</h2><br /><p>For Edwards, the center of Scripture was the revelation of God through Jesus Christ. The aim of Scripture is to point us to the glory of God in Jesus Christ and increase our longing to enter into his glory.</p><br /><p>From beginning to end, the Word of God is sufficient for all things related to life and faith. For Jonathan Edwards, the ultimate aim of such things was to see God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.</p><br /><p><i>To be continued.</i></p><br /><p><i>For a more in-depth treatment of what the theological giants in the Christian tradition have taught about Scripture, check out</i> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christian-Theologies-Scripture-Comparative-Introduction/dp/0814736661/?tag=theresurgence-20">Christian Theologies of Scripture</a>. <i>You can also <a href="http://www.nyupress.org/webchapters/0814736653intro.pdf">read the introduction online</a>.</i></p><br /><div style="border-top: 1px dotted rgb(153, 153, 153); margin-top: 10px; height: 120px; padding-top: 5px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande',Verdana,Arial,Sans-Serif; font-size: 12px;"><br /><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 115px;"><br /><a href="http://resound.org/" title="Re:Sound"><img src="http://theresurgence.com/files/re-sound.jpg" alt="Re:Sound" border="0" height="111" width="198" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="padding: 8px 14px; float: left; width: 235px;"><br /><h3 style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://resound.org/" title="Re:Sound" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(198, 0, 0); font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Re:Sound</a></h3><br /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px 0px 0px; font-size: 10px; color: rgb(34, 34, 26); line-height: 16px;">The musical arm of the Resurgence offers music that is theologically unified, stylistically diverse, and musically excellent. <a href="http://resound.org/" title="Re:Sound" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(153, 153, 153); color: rgb(34, 34, 26); text-decoration: none;">Find out more</a>.<br /></p><br /></div><br /></div><br /><p>&lt;!--break--&gt;</p>"Jason Rigbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221175091784934930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2777951567904371529.post-11881876370944287032009-12-11T12:42:00.000-08:002009-12-11T12:42:13.390-08:00The Removal of Our Blindness<a href="http://frankviola.wordpress.com/2009/12/10/the-removal-of-our-blindness/">The Removal of Our Blindness</a>: "<div><br><p>There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She told her boyfriend, ‘If I could only see the world, I will marry you.’</p><br /><p>One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend.</p><br /><p>He asked her, ‘Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?’ The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn’t expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him.</p><br /><p>Her boyfriend left in tears. Days later he wrote a note to her saying: ‘Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before they were yours, they were mine.’</p><br /> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/frankviola.wordpress.com/1377/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/frankviola.wordpress.com/1377/"></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/godelicious/frankviola.wordpress.com/1377/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/delicious/frankviola.wordpress.com/1377/"></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gostumble/frankviola.wordpress.com/1377/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/stumble/frankviola.wordpress.com/1377/"></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/godigg/frankviola.wordpress.com/1377/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/digg/frankviola.wordpress.com/1377/"></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/goreddit/frankviola.wordpress.com/1377/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/reddit/frankviola.wordpress.com/1377/"></a> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=frankviola.wordpress.com&amp;blog=4023111&amp;post=1377&amp;subd=frankviola&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1"></div>"Jason Rigbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221175091784934930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2777951567904371529.post-34458543128062843442009-12-07T00:10:00.000-08:002009-12-07T00:10:24.496-08:00Free Resurgence Poster: Incarnation<a href="http://theresurgence.com/resurgence_poster_incarnation">Free Resurgence Poster: Incarnation</a>: "<p>Your people could benefit tremendously from having a solid grasp of key theological terms. We at the Resurgence came up with the idea of creating posters that succinctly explain the most important theological ideas. </p><br /><p><a href="http://theresurgence.com/files/poster-incarnation1.pdf" src="http://theresurgence.com/files/image-incarnation.jpg"></a></p><br /><h2>Incarnation</h2><br /><p>This poster explains the doctrine of the Incarnation, which means “becoming flesh.” This doctrine is important for us to understand as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, the second person of the Trinity entering into human history.</p><br /><ul><br /><b><a href="http://theresurgence.com/files/poster-incarnation1.pdf">Download the Incarnation poster here.</a></b><br /></ul><br /><p>If you need ideas for how to use the posters, click <a href="http://theresurgence.com/resurgence-poster-expiation">here</a>. </p><br /><div style="margin-top:10px;border-top:1px dotted #999;height:120px;padding-top:5px;font-family:&#39;Lucida Grande&#39;, Verdana, Arial, Sans-Serif;font-size:12px"><br /><div style="float:left;padding:0px;margin:0px;width:200px;height:115px"><br /><a href="http://www.marshillglobal.com" title="Mars Hill Global"><img src="http://theresurgence.com/files/MHG_promo.jpg" border="0" alt="Mars Hill Global" width="198" height="111"></a><br /></div><br /><div style="float:left;width:235px;padding:8px 14px"><br /><h3 style="padding:0px;margin:0px"><a href="http://www.marshillglobal.com" title="Mars Hill Global" style="text-decoration:none;color:#c60000;font-size:18px;font-weight:bold">Mars Hill Global</a></h3><br /><p style="padding:0px;margin:0px;font-size:10px;color:#22221a;line-height:16px;padding-top:3px">Serving the church and spreading the gospel. Help support this effort by <a href="http://www.marshillchurch.org/give" style="color:#22221a;text-decoration:none;border-bottom:1px #999999 dotted">giving to the Global Fund</a>. More info at <a href="http://www.marshillglobal.com" style="color:#22221a;text-decoration:none;border-bottom:1px #999999 dotted">MarsHillGlobal.com</a>.<br /></p><br /></div><br /></div><br /><p>&lt;!--break--&gt;</p>"Jason Rigbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221175091784934930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2777951567904371529.post-31704241623458667072009-12-05T11:45:00.000-08:002009-12-05T11:45:39.444-08:00False saviors<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/OfFirstImportance/~3/Sa4hNNiK1Fo/">False saviors</a>: "<div><br><p>“If we are deeply moved by the sight of his love for us, it detaches our hearts from other would-be saviors. We stop trying to redeem ourselves through our pursuits and relationships, because we are already redeemed. We stop trying to make others into saviors, because we have a Savior.”</p><br /><p>- Timothy Keller, <a href="http://www.wtsbooks.com/product-exec/product_id/6283/nm/Counterfeit+Gods%3A+The+Empty+Promises+of+Money%2C+Sex%2C+and+Power%2C+and+the+Only+Hope+that+Matters+(Hardcover)?utm_source=byl&amp;utm_medium=byl"><em>Counterfeit Gods</em></a> (New York, NY: Penguin Group, 2009), 45.</p><br /> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2179/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2179/"></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/godelicious/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2179/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/delicious/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2179/"></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gostumble/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2179/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/stumble/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2179/"></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/godigg/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2179/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/digg/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2179/"></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/goreddit/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2179/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/reddit/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2179/"></a> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=firstimportance.org&amp;blog=1216143&amp;post=2179&amp;subd=firstimportance&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1"></div><div><br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/OfFirstImportance?a=Sa4hNNiK1Fo:EpEbmc5DKbo:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/OfFirstImportance?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></a><br /></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OfFirstImportance/~4/Sa4hNNiK1Fo" height="1" width="1">"Jason Rigbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221175091784934930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2777951567904371529.post-36258685840877129032009-12-04T21:29:00.000-08:002009-12-04T21:29:17.382-08:00It is Christ’s glory to pass over sins<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/OfFirstImportance/~3/iszINptxjTM/">It is Christ’s glory to pass over sins</a>: "<div><br><p>“Let us take comfort in the thought that the Lord Jesus does not cast off His believing people because of failures and imperfections.</p><br /><p>He knows what they are.</p><br /><p>He takes them, as the husband takes the wife, with all their blemishes and defects, and, once joined to Him by faith, will never leave them. He is a merciful and compassionate High priest. It is His glory to pass over the transgressions of His people, and to cover their many sins.”</p><br /><p>- J.C. Ryle, <em>The Gospel of Mark</em>, 1857</p><br /> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2164/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2164/"></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/godelicious/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2164/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/delicious/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2164/"></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gostumble/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2164/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/stumble/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2164/"></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/godigg/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2164/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/digg/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2164/"></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/goreddit/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2164/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/reddit/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2164/"></a> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=firstimportance.org&amp;blog=1216143&amp;post=2164&amp;subd=firstimportance&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1"></div><div><br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/OfFirstImportance?a=iszINptxjTM:U5rR4m0aI5o:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/OfFirstImportance?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></a><br /></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OfFirstImportance/~4/iszINptxjTM" height="1" width="1">"Jason Rigbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221175091784934930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2777951567904371529.post-8050993564860856392009-11-29T23:23:00.000-08:002009-11-29T23:23:22.879-08:00This Week with Henri Nouwen – The Meal That Makes Us Family and Friends<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DreamAwakener/~3/B27W_QxZQAU/">This Week with Henri Nouwen – The Meal That Makes Us Family and Friends</a>: "<p><img src="http://jrwoodward.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/nouwen-home-300x96.jpg" alt="Van Gogh" title="Van Gogh" width="300" height="96">We all need to eat and drink to stay alive. But having a meal is more than eating and drinking. It is celebrating the gifts of life we share. A meal together is one of the most intimate and sacred human events. Around the table we become vulnerable, filling one another’s plates and cups and encouraging one another to eat and drink. Much more happens at a meal than satisfying hunger and quenching thirst. Around the table we become family, friends, community, yes, a body.</p><br /><p>That is why it is so important to “set” the table. Flowers, candles, colorful napkins all help us to say to one another, “This is a very special time for us, let’s enjoy.”<strong> – Henri Nouwen</strong></p><br /><p>I hope you had a great meal with someone yesterday.</p><br /><div><h3>Related Posts:</h3><ul><li><a href="http://jrwoodward.net/2009/02/this-week-with-henri-nouwen-around-the-table/" rel="bookmark">This Week with Henri Nouwen - Around the Table</a></li><li><a href="http://jrwoodward.net/2009/10/this-week-with-henri-nouwen-a-place-of-vulnerablity-and-trust/" rel="bookmark">This Week with Henri Nouwen - A place of Vulnerablity and Trust</a></li><li><a href="http://jrwoodward.net/2009/10/this-week-with-henri-nouwen-jesus-gives-himself-to-us/" rel="bookmark">This Week with Henri Nouwen - Jesus Gives Himself to Us</a></li><li><a href="http://jrwoodward.net/2008/10/this-week-with-henri-nouwen-divine-communion/" rel="bookmark">This Week with Henri Nouwen - Divine Communion</a></li><li><a href="http://jrwoodward.net/2009/10/this-week-with-henri-nouwen-the-most-human-and-most-divine-gesture/" rel="bookmark">This Week with Henri Nouwen - The Most Human and Most Divine Gesture</a></li></ul></div><div><br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DreamAwakener?a=B27W_QxZQAU:BAwkXs_Yyws:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DreamAwakener?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DreamAwakener?a=B27W_QxZQAU:BAwkXs_Yyws:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DreamAwakener?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DreamAwakener?a=B27W_QxZQAU:BAwkXs_Yyws:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DreamAwakener?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DreamAwakener?a=B27W_QxZQAU:BAwkXs_Yyws:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DreamAwakener?i=B27W_QxZQAU:BAwkXs_Yyws:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DreamAwakener?a=B27W_QxZQAU:BAwkXs_Yyws:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DreamAwakener?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DreamAwakener?a=B27W_QxZQAU:BAwkXs_Yyws:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DreamAwakener?i=B27W_QxZQAU:BAwkXs_Yyws:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></a><br /></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DreamAwakener/~4/B27W_QxZQAU" height="1" width="1">"Jason Rigbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221175091784934930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2777951567904371529.post-82217353563984062372009-11-24T17:39:00.000-08:002009-11-24T17:39:32.122-08:00Regard For The Soil: A Poem by Peter Maurin<a href="http://sustainabletraditions.ning.com/xn/detail/2186601:BlogPost:8438">Regard For The Soil: A Poem by Peter Maurin</a>: "<b>Regard For The Soil</b> by <a href="http://www.catholicworker.org/roundtable/easyessays.cfm">Peter Maurin</a><br><br /><br><br />1. Andrew Nelson Lytle says:<br><br />The escape from industrialism<br><br />is not in socialism<br><br />or in sovietism.<br><br /><br><br />2. The answer lies<br><br />in a return to a society<br><br />where agriculture is practised<br><br />by most of the people.<br><br /><br><br />3. It is in fact impossible<br><br />for any culture<br><br />to be sound and healthy<br><br />without a proper regard<br><br />for the soil,<br><br />no matter<br><br />how many urban dwellers<br><br />think that their food<br><br />comes from groceries<br><br />and delicatessens<br><br />or their milk from tin cans.<br><br /><br><br />4. This ignorance<br><br />does not release them<br><br />from a final dependence<br><br />upon the farm."Jason Rigbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221175091784934930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2777951567904371529.post-18827021289772106672009-11-24T16:41:00.000-08:002009-11-24T16:41:36.071-08:00Do you really believe in the deity of Christ?<a href="http://twentytwowords.com/2009/11/24/do-you-really-believe-in-the-deity-of-christ/">Do you really believe in the deity of Christ?</a>: "<p><em>A guest post by <a href="http://twitter.com/wesleyhill">Wesley Hill</a></em></p><br /><p>If he came to earth tomorrow, would your God go out partying with sinners?</p><br /><p>If not, then <a href="http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Matthew+11%3A19">Jesus must not be him</a>.</p><br /><div><br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/22_words?a=-moCSxa9Hv8:YoPK1Nzmnso:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/22_words?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/22_words?a=-moCSxa9Hv8:YoPK1Nzmnso:D7DqB2pKExk"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/22_words?i=-moCSxa9Hv8:YoPK1Nzmnso:D7DqB2pKExk" border="0"></a><br /></div>"Jason Rigbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221175091784934930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2777951567904371529.post-70013114532652354712009-11-24T16:36:00.000-08:002009-11-24T16:36:36.195-08:00The only thing that makes you differ<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/OfFirstImportance/~3/i6iylasM8wI/">The only thing that makes you differ</a>: "<div><br><p>“Christian! the only thing that makes you differ from the vilest being that pollutes the earth, or from the darkest fiend that gnaws his chains in hell, is the free grace of God!”</p><br /><p>- Octavius Winslow, <a href="http://www.shilohonline.org/articles/winslow/gt_1.htm">Jesus, Full of Grace</a></p><br /> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2129/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2129/"></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/godelicious/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2129/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/delicious/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2129/"></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gostumble/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2129/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/stumble/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2129/"></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/godigg/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2129/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/digg/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2129/"></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/goreddit/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2129/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/reddit/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2129/"></a> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=firstimportance.org&amp;blog=1216143&amp;post=2129&amp;subd=firstimportance&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1"></div><div><br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/OfFirstImportance?a=i6iylasM8wI:N5wG2-P2DsY:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/OfFirstImportance?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></a><br /></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OfFirstImportance/~4/i6iylasM8wI" height="1" width="1">"Jason Rigbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221175091784934930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2777951567904371529.post-68402809678180235262009-11-22T22:54:00.000-08:002009-11-22T22:54:10.399-08:00Mission and the Overflow of Grace<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/OfFirstImportance/~3/Kmx7CzfSxi4/">Mission and the Overflow of Grace</a>: "<div><br><p>“Grasping the external propulsion of God’s grace is crucial to our understanding of mission. It means that mission is not a duty (something we ’should do’) but a natural overflow of the gospel’s work inside us. If you aren’t motivated to love, serve, and speak the gospel to people, the answer isn’t to ‘just do it.’ The answer is to examine your heart, repent of sin, and discern where your unbelief is short-circuiting the natural outward movement of the gospel. As the gospel renews your heart, it will also renew your desire to move out in faith into the relationships and opportunities God places in your path.</p><br /><p>To put it simply, the grace of God is always going somewhere—moving forward, extending his kingdom, propelling his people toward love and service to others. As we learn to live in light of the gospel, mission should be the natural overflow. God’s grace brings renewal internally (in us) so that it might bring renewal externally (through us).”</p><br /><p>- Bob Thune and Will Walker, <em><a href="http://www.whm.org/gcl">The Gospel-Centered Life</a></em> (<a href="http://www.whm.org/">World Harvest Mission</a>, 2009), 46.</p><br /> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2126/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2126/"></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/godelicious/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2126/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/delicious/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2126/"></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gostumble/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2126/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/stumble/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2126/"></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/godigg/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2126/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/digg/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2126/"></a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/goreddit/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2126/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/reddit/firstimportance.wordpress.com/2126/"></a> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=firstimportance.org&amp;blog=1216143&amp;post=2126&amp;subd=firstimportance&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1"></div><div><br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/OfFirstImportance?a=Kmx7CzfSxi4:5QGfo64BN5k:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/OfFirstImportance?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></a><br /></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OfFirstImportance/~4/Kmx7CzfSxi4" height="1" width="1">"Jason Rigbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08221175091784934930noreply@blogger.com0